On Tuesday, 22 September Wayne toured Valongo historic area with João Carlo. This is an UNESCO area old Santos with Portuguese influence. We started our tour with Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, this church is where the run-away slaves went for protection from the coffee plantations.
We then went to Alberto Santos-Dumont, Brazilian Monument and park. We then took in this amazing building that is completely gutted, ruins of Casa da Frontarja Azulejada (Tiled Facade House). We watched a movie, Food Truck being filmed in front of the Saint Anthony of Valongo Sanctuary. We then went inside Igreja de Santo Antônio do Valongo since they had the street for filming. What a spectacular church inside.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário
Streets of this UNESCO part of Santos, cobblestone streets with trolleys and old World architecture. The home of Bonafacio and the seat for the revolution seeking independence.
Streets of Valongo with cobble stone streets and architecture
The ruins of the tile house.
My guide and friend, Joao Carlos
Portuguese tile
Igreja de Santo Antônio do Valongo
Sanctuary of Santo Antônio do Valongo
Interior of the church
Ceiling of the church looking toward the altar
Stained glass
Trolley car in the old district
We then walked to the Coffee Museum, had coffee and snack while there. Got to see where the brokers bid on the coffee and tasters did their tastings. Then we walked to City Hall, and a great story for two churches that were not connected, as a street ran between them until a tower was place between. The rich were buried in front of the churches, since they believed being closer to God would bring them to heaven and the poor were buried further away.
Right is the Carmelite Convent Church and the left is The Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
You would never see the nuns from the Carmelite Church they were a silent order.
Inside the second church
Beautiful architecture and handprinted imported Portuguese tiles
After working that night Keith and Wayne decided to look for something close by to get dinner. Trip Advisor said this Lebanese restaurant close by on Canal 3, Al Kabir. We spoke with either an owner or son of the owner, he said they tone down the spice for the Brazilian pallet. The food was memorable and would definitely give them 5 stars for food and service.
Sunset on Gonzaga Beach looking seen from Mercure Hotel
Just for starters included in the meal was tabbouleh, humus, baba ghanoush, cream cheese, pita bread.
Our last few days in Santos were jam packed with activity, Keith toured the production of Birla Carbon plant in Cubatão and Wayne went to Guarujá. The adventure to Guarujá is memorable with João was sitting beside me and this guy kept grabbing his arm to look at his watch, then tried to kiss him. He got up to get away from the guy while we rode the bus, then the guy reached out to grab him. Finally we cam to the stop for the ferry ride and the guy got off the bus without an issue. We got on the ferry to the bus terminal, got on another bus. This time an older woman would not let anyone sit next to her, really aggravating some of the other passengers saying she had an issue with her leg, showing her ring saying it came from Jesus. The bus finally broke down and we walked 11 blocks to the beach. All in all a memorable day at the beach, considering we had a stray come over and spent the day with us.
Keith at the Birla Carbon Plant Tour
Guarujá Beach
Beach dog, we named her Samantha. She spent the entire day with us.
Leaving the beach to head back to Santos, 2 hours by bus, ferry and bus.
Ferry to Santos
Thursday night we walked to the meet up for our second Couchsurfing event in Santos. Had a wonderful time meeting new people and seeing familiar faces.
Our last night in Santos, Keith and Wayne went out with João for dinner at Australianos Bar. We met Natalia, another couchsurfer, who would be staying with João and Antonio over the weekend. Good music from Australia and fun watching the people.
Our last meal in Santos at Australianos with João
If you have an opportunity to visit Brazil, Santos is a very nice City to visit and the beaches were vast and beautiful. The locals called it dirty but it was definitely clean, the water was clean and constant movement of people everyday walking, running, playing volley ball, paddle ball and soccer on the beach. Many people riding bicycles all over the place. Never felt unsafe in this City.
